The summer superyacht season is underway across the Mediterranean, drawing celebrities, athletes, and entertainment figures to some of the region’s most exclusive coastal destinations. Locations such as St Tropez, Ibiza, the Amalfi Coast, and the Greek islands have become hubs for luxury vessels, with high-profile guests vying to outdo one another in a display of opulence on the water.
Among the notable arrivals this season is Norwegian football star Erling Haaland, who recently spent several days aboard the 57-meter motoryacht Elis Et Mar in Sicilian waters. The yacht, which can accommodate up to 12 guests, features a striking interior with yellow marble flooring and amenities including space for golf practice and football free kicks. Haaland's company included his girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen, as well as teammates Sander Berge and Julie Karlsen. The Elis Et Mar is available for charter at approximately $300,000 per week.
In Monaco, sisters Khloe and Kim Kardashian have been seen aboard the 73.6-meter motoryacht Naia, observing Formula 1 practice sessions with Kim’s partner, Lewis Hamilton. The yacht commands a charter price of around $150,000 per week, excluding additional costs. Meanwhile, in Capri, actor George Clooney and his wife Amal were spotted disembarking from a yacht alongside friends.
Other celebrity superyachts expected to make appearances include Rising Sun, owned by music executive David Geffen and a favored vessel of actor Leonardo DiCaprio. This yacht is notable for its extensive facilities, which include a gym, basketball court, wine cellar, and a cinema. DiCaprio is rumored to enjoy the company of fellow high-profile guests such as Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, and Oprah Winfrey aboard the vessel.
The growing prominence of superyacht culture this season also brings attention to the etiquette and practicalities involved. Charter fees can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars per week, often with staff-to-guest ratios exceeding two to one. This raises questions around tipping protocol, typically requiring guests to extend gratuities to the entire crew to acknowledge service.
Additionally, common rules apply onboard to maintain the vessel and preserve guest experience. For instance, shoes are often prohibited on deck to protect delicate surfaces, and guests are advised to report any issues, such as blockages in the “heads,” promptly and discreetly. Crew members provide guidance, including assurances regarding local marine life like jellyfish, to help guests navigate the environment safely.
Despite concerns raised over environmental impacts—considering that operating large yachts can burn between 160 and over 1,000 gallons of fuel per hour—the culture around these luxury vessels continues unabated. Owners and guests tend to focus on design, speed, and comfort, cultivating an atmosphere where the pleasures of summer at sea take precedence.
As the Mediterranean draws a diverse array of visitors to its sparkling shores, the superyacht season offers a conspicuous spectacle of wealth, leisure, and exclusivity at sea.